Liam Wright is eyeing off Michael Hooper's Wallabies spot

There’s no hard and fast template for elevation to test level or jersey incumbency. The variables are so vast that to attempt blanket statements about selection trends is impossible. For every George Smith there is a Scott Fardy. And age is certainly no issue for a 22 year old open side flanker who was the Australian super conference’s premier breakdown exponent by some distance last Super Rugby season and is coming into – rather than coming from – his peak physical years. The contrasts between Wright and Hooper’s pre-season story couldn’t be more stark – one elevated to club captaincy with his eyes (and overt words) targeted poignantly on the Gold prize. The other seeking to eschew the burden of Super leadership with a focus on easing workload and emotional pressure; whilst in the background the incoming national coach confirms he will need to re-earn his Wallabies jersey this season (and every season) let alone his captaincy. The Wallabies have just endured 5 disastrous years of parochialism, partisanship and blind preference at the selection table at the fatally dogmatic hands of the worst Australian coach of the professional era (and about 50 years prior), so incumbent test caps have themselves become a false commodity. Under Michael Cheika, Ned Hanigan held a mortgage on his jersey by the age of 22. It took the implementation of a selection panel to kill that sorry travesty. On paper, having 20 test caps by the age of 24 looks superb for Ned. The reality of those caps is vastly different. Does anyone really see Wright stating his bold 2020 intentions if Cheika still held the national clipboard? The world has changed. Whilst Rennie has yet to walk the talk, in the purported new economy, if form really is key, all bets are off.

Wright needs to aim at being a McCaw not a Hooper. He can be our way back from 6th. Concentrate on your game not the follow me crap. If you do your job they will be right with you.

I think Wright will be a very good player over a line time and play test rugby. But I doubt he will ever be a first choice 7. When you look back at player that have a mortgage on the jerseys (here and NZ), they’ve been test 23 (and more often than not starting XV regulars) by the time they were Liam’s age. You can say with Hooper and Pocock it’s tightly contested and hard to get game time, but it’s more that Wright wasn’t seen as options ahead of players like Dempsey, Samu and LSL that shows he’s not at the level that Pocock, Hooper, Cane, etc were at. Maybe Savea is a relevant example here, but I feel Savea playing 7s until about 2016 held him back a little too.

Tahs looked slow and out of it at times. They will have to tighten up and speed up to get anywhere in this comp. I know it's early days...At least I hope so.

Or a Funch or Blankers. See urban dictionary

There can be no others in contention Scott... I think you named every Aussie super rugby loose forward.

Imagine having the confidence that two 21 year olds yet to even play super rugby will be in contention? I’ll say right now, Michael Wood at the Reds won’t even player Super Rugby. And Wilson and McReight will struggle for game time between them.

Tahs won both games in 2019 and Reds won the trial 28-19. Are you referring to the game they played in your head?

"He’s a little energy bunny and puts himself in the right spots to influence the game" Backhanded compliment but a good description. There's a big difference between being in a position to and actually influencing. There some talent in Oz Rugby. It will be interesting to see its development. I'd live to see a back three of Banks, Koroibete and Petaia would be fun if these guys can take it to the next level. Some counter attack potential to attack the kicking game, something the Wallabies have lacked. See if we can force other teams to go to plan B for a change. Hunt at 12 after a fine year last year, best overalll stats for an Aussie 12s. Consistent and hard at the impact. Adds experience and on the pitch leadership of the follow me kind. White at 7 and whomever grabs the 10 and 13. We have a quality front row with depth. The rest of the forwards is up for grabs really. We need a back row that can win the contact and break the line. We've been beaten by the ABs and England for years and need change strategies. I wonder if one of the the big wingers could convert to 8 like the great Jim Williams. Naiyaravoro at 132 and 1.85 would add some serious threat if he could convert. Looking forward Brumbies and Reds if smoke allows.

Wright dominated Hooper utterly this evening in the Reds 50-nil annihilation of a rudderless Tahs rabble. The referees intervened with two yellow lifelines but the reality for all present was that Onslow side was able to attack and the other had to make do with consolation points after the game was over. Back to the drawing board NSW. Come back in five years.

LSL shouldn't be considered as a flanker, he's a lock who's been tried too many times as a 6. Otherwise I hope/don't think the other three will be considered for the WB's until they prove themselves consistently in SR level

I’m very pleased Wright has overtly stated his intent and his jersey. No shifting to accomodate. No turning himself into a [insert some other position he doesn’t play here]. Just a straight shoot out. If he’s good enough, give him the 7. If he’s not, enjoy the show with mates and a slab, work hard in the off season and go again. Either way, fantastic, bold statement from an exciting young tyro.

As I predicted Liam Wright is transforming himself into a number 6. All Roarers need to realise my predictions are uncannily accurate and precisely 180 degrees wrong.

Better a bunch of flankers than a wunch of bankers.

For sure. But it's also fair to say Wright was one of the 7s closest to Hooper's heels last year, and it may be hard for the other 7s to shift him. Anyhoo, the amount of competition for WB BR spots is truly an excellent thing, and it will drive Hooper, Wright and everyone else to bring their best game week after week. Lucky us! I shall be cheering and beering them on!!

A Wright Hooper combination could actually work, as Wright is tall enough to jump lineouts. I'm going to call them the Whopper.

Love your work Scott

Scott, you really need to quit sugarcoating your thoughts. Next time tell us what ya really reckon. :stoked:

”He’s learnt how to lead by watching Michael Hooper, now new Queensland captain Liam Wright is gunning for his Wallabies spot.“ The article is fine except for the first paragraph. Hooper lacks leadership all together. He’s stroppy, hot-headed, impatient, panicky.

We all know 4 flankers wont be in contention for a Wallaby jersey. Dempsey Hanigan LSL and Holloway as they are proven underperformers or lazy. Pete Samu, Will Miller, Rob Valentini, Liam Wright, ASY,Michael Hooper, Isi Naisirani, Lachie McCaffrey, Fraser McReight, Angus Cottrell, Luke Jones, Harry Wilson, Michael Wood, Jahrome Brown and Tom Cusack will be in contention. No others !!